Some of the Biggest Restaurant Names Are Opening in D.C.

It’s official: D.C. is a must-have in any East Coast empire-builder’s portfolio. The latest to heed the siren song of the nation’s capital: Kate Jacoby and Rich Landau of Philadelphia’s V Street and Vedge, where they make what Eater’s roving critic Bill Addison has described as some of the best vegan food in America. The restaurateurs tell the Washington Post that they plan to open a V Street in a new D.C. development, the second-ever location for that concept and the couple’s first location outside of Philadelphia.

Word of the V Street expansion follows right on the heels of pastry superstar Christina Tosi’s reveal today that she plans on opening two more Milk Bar locations in D.C., upping her presence to three bakeries in the city. She told the Washington Post she’s not “not trying to put a Milk Bar on every block.” But is a Milk Bar in every city maybe possible? Tosi is certainly getting closer; her team told Eater LA today that the first Los Angeles location will be opening on Melrose.

D.C. will also soon be welcoming Danny Meyer to the dance floor. The acclaimed restaurateur is bringing a location of his NYC classic Union Square Cafe as well as an entirely new restaurant concept to the city.

While this is certainly happening, it’s worth noting that the trend of big name restaurant operators, especially NYC-based operators, expanding to D.C. is not really new. Things started picking up when Shake Shack opened in 2011, followed by Michael White’s arrival in 2013, and major openings from Daniel Boulud in 2014 and David Chang in 2015. So don’t call D.C. a trend, please — call it a savvy business decision.

• Christina Tosi Is Planning to Open Two More Locations of Milk Bar in Washington [WP via EDC]
• The Chefs Behind the Best Vegan Food in the Country Are Opening a Restaurant in D.C. [WP via EDC]
• ZOMG: Danny Meyer Is Opening New Restaurants in DC and NYC [E]